Southern California -- this just in

70-mph winds to hit parts of Southern California

Thunderstorms and hail that hit the Los Angeles area were expected to give way to powerful winds Friday, the National Weather Service said.

The rain and hail were reported from Newhall to Rancho Cucamonga. Residents in Orange County said their yards with blanketed with hail as an unstable air mass rumbled across the region.

Noel Isla, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said areas in San Bernardino County were covered with graupeel, a soft hail similar to snow.

The weather service said that damaging winds were expected across Southern California. The gusts could reach 70 mph in mountain areas and 40 mph in valleys and coastal areas.

The strong north to northeast winds are expected to continue through Friday, heightening the potential for brush fires and creating dangerous conditions for high-profile vehicles, according to the weather service.